Helpful Websites
Browse through our collection of helpful informational webpage links and phone numbers to assist current and future business owners. Learn how to start a business, find financing options, and stay up-to-date on legal regulations to follow as a business owner.
The Community Resources section includes various webpage links and phone numbers helpful for Washington County residents.
Starting & Running Your Business
Federal
Social Security Administration
1-800-772-1213
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (I-9 form)
For Employees: 888-897-7781
For Employers: 888-464-4218
Workplace Disabilities
800-514-0301
State
Maryland’s BEACON Unemployment Insurance Application Webpage
667-207-6520
MD Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulations
410-230-6020
Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment Insurance Benefits: General Information - 667-207-6520
Unemployment Insurance Tax: Employer Assistance - 410-949-0033
Reporting Unemployment Insurance Fraud
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
(410)864-5100 or 1(800)492-0479
Official Small Business Website of the U.S. Government
U.S. Small Business Administration
Advice on planning, launching, managing and growing your business.
800-827-5722
U.S. Small Business Administration’s Learning Platform
Learn about entrepreneurial best practices and available financing options.
800-827-5722
U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2023 Small Business Resource Guide
Start, grow, and build a business.
David W. Fletcher Incubator + Labs at Hagerstown Community College
(240) 625-2922
Frostburg State University
Admissions: 301-687-4201
General: 301-687-4000
Hagerstown Community College
Admissions: 240-500-2238
General: 240-500-2000
Maryland Department of Commerce Business Resources
Mount St. Mary's University
Admissions: 301-447-5214
General: 301-447-6122
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Learning Webinars
NFIB is the voice of small business, advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals.
1(800-634-2669)
Purdue University Global
844-787-3834
SCORE Mid-Maryland
(443) 860-6194
Shepherd University - Martinsburg
304-263-3303
Small Business Development Center – Western Maryland
1(888)237-9007 ext. 4
Univ. of MD Extension (UME) of Wash Co.
301-791-1304
University of Maryland, Global Campus (formerly UMUC)
855-655-8682
Chamber Member Staffing Agencies
Horizon Goodwill Industries
Commercial cleaning, Business outsourcing, and Supply chain solutions
301-733-7330
Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning
410-767-2173
Maryland Workforce Exchange
Washington County One Stop Center (Hagerstown)
301-393-8200
Utilize the Chamber Job Bank
Chamber members are able to post job openings in our job bank, accessible with your Username & Password. For assistance, please message Director of Member Services Brianna Scott at brianna@hagerstown.org
Western Maryland Consortium
Serving the general public in Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties, the Western Maryland Consortium is a regional workforce development agency. We strive to help workers improve their skills and find employment, leading to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.
(301) 791-3164
Governor’s Office of Small, Minority and Women Business Affairs
1-877-558-0998 or 410-697-9600
Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
443-620-0165
SCORE - Resources for Veteran Entrepreneurs
1-800-634-0245
U.S. Dept. of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency
202-482-2332
U.S. Small Business Administration’s Ascent for Women Learning Platform
A free learning platform for women entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses.
Boots to Suits - A free monthly event created by Veterans, for Veterans, providing resources and opportunity for networking. This is hosted at our Chamber on the second Tuesday of each month. Click here to register using our event calendar.
Maryland Business Express
Advice on planning, starting, managing and growing your business, for Maryland residents.
Maryland Department of Commerce
Maryland’s primary economic development agency.
1-888-246-6736 or 410-767-6300
Maryland Small Business Development Center
Consulting, training, and advising for aspiring or existing business owners in Maryland.
Financial Resources
Federal
Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)
Tax relief for companies that lost revenue in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. Employers can claim the 2020 ERTC until April 15, 2024, and the 2021 ERTC until April 15, 2025.
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
1-800-829-4933
Federal Self-Employment Tax
1-800-829-4933
Social Security Administration
1-800-772-1213
State
Maryland Business Taxes
MD Comptroller of the Treasury
410-260-7980
Hagerstown Branch - 410-260-7060 or 800-638-2937
Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation – Charter Business Services
410-767-1330
Washington County
Advantage Maryland (MEDAAF)
A Maryland program to assist economic development initiatives.
MD Dept. of Commerce—Business Funding Programs in Maryland
Contact: Washington County Business Development Representative, Andrew Sargent, 443-447-4999
Maryland Entrepreneur’s Guide (Wikibook)
Maryland State Arts Council Funding and Programs
Tri-County Council Western Maryland Revolving Loan Fund
301-689-1300
U.S. Export Assistance Center (Baltimore)
410-962-6195
U.S. Small Business Administration Loans
General Answer Desk: 800-827-5722
Hagerstown Branch: 888-237-9007 ext. 4
Compilation of Grants, Loans and Programs from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA)
Maryland’s online procurement platform used to connect the vendor community with contracting opportunities from schools and universities, plus state, county, and local government entities.
(800) 449-4347
eMMA.HelpDesk@maryland.gov
Office of State Procurement
800-449-4347
Maryland Apex Accelerator (Government Contracts)
301-405-6550
Governor’s Office of Small, Minority and Women Business Affairs
1-877-558-0998 or 410-697-9600
Office of Veterans Business Development
202-205-6773
Small Business Administration 8(a) Business Development Program
410-962-6195
Small, Minority and Women-Owned Business Account - Video Lottery Terminal Fund (VLT)
This fund uses proceeds from video lottery terminals (slots) to assist small, minority, and women owned businesses.
U.S. Dept. of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency
202-482-2332
Laws & Regulations
MD Dept. of Assessments & Taxation
For business names: 410-767-1330
For trade names: 410-767-1801
Departmental forms and applications
MD Dept. of Assessments and Taxation-Charter Business Services
Maryland Business Express - Register a new business, trade name or tax account
410-767-1330
Adult Recreational Use Cannabis - Webinar on How Business Owners Can be Affected
Guide to Legal Aspects of Doing Business in MD (MD Attorney General & Dept. of Commerce)
Maryland General Assembly
Stay up to date on new legislation that could affect your business.
Maryland Small Business Development Center - Complying with Business Laws and Regulations
Local
Wash. Co. Board of Liquor License Commissioners
301-797-4591
City of Hagerstown Planning and Code Administration Department
Wash. Co. Permitting Department
Electrical, Entrance, Grading, Mechanical, Plumbing, Utility, Zoning Permits
240-313-2460 or permsupport@washco-md.net
Washington County Business Licenses (Clerk of the Circuit Court)
301-733-8660 ext. 0
Washington County Health Department (Forms and Applications)
240-313-3400
State
MD Department of the Environment - Oil Transportation Licenses and Permits
(410) 537-3442 or (800) 633-6101 ext. 3442
MD Dept of Health
Health Professional Licensing
1-877-463-3464 or 410-767-6500
MD Dept. of Labor
Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
410-230-6231
Boilers - 410-767-2990
Elevators - 410-767-2990
Amusements - 410-767-2348
MD Motor Vehicle Administration
410-768-7000 or 1-800-950-1682
Maryland OneStop Portal
OneStop is the central hub for Maryland State licenses, forms, certificates, permits, applications, and registrations.
Oversize/Overweight vehicles
Hauling Permits - MD Dept. of Transportation State Highway Administration
410-582-5650
MD State Highway Administration
Outdoor advertising signs along a highway, constructing an entrance to a State Highway; Installing or altering a traffic signal.
410-545-0300 or 1-800-323-6742
District 6 (Washington County): 800-760-7138 or 301-729-8400
MD Dept. of Agriculture-Pesticide Regulation
410-841-5710
MD Dept. of the Environment-Hazardous Waste Program
Asbestos handling, radioactive material handling, waste discharge into State waters, operation/terminal facilities, transport of hazardous substances, sewage, sludge and refuse disposal.
410-537-3314
For EPA IDs or Hazardous Waste Hauler Certifications: 410-537-3400
Environmental Permits
Air, Radiation, Land, Water Management permits
Contact Information
Hagerstown Field Office - Air and Radiation Administration - 301-665-2860
Hagerstown Field Office - Water and Science Administration - 301-665-2850
For the Community
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Enroll in Health Coverage
1-855-642-8572 or use the mobile app, 'Enroll MHC'
Maryland Area Health Education Center (AHEC) West
Help with enrolling in health insurance. See if you qualify for financial help to lower your costs.
1-888-202-0212
Maryland Department of Health
(410)767-6500 or 1-877-463-3464
Maryland Senior Call Check Program
Automated daily check-in call for Maryland residents aged 65 or older.
Call 1 (866) 502-0560 to register
Mental Health Resources in Washington County – Threads of Hope
Call 211
Social Security Offices
1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778
Washington County Community Action Council
Community action agency with a goal of helping people achieve self-sufficiency, equipping individuals and families with the information, education, and most importantly, confidence needed to become financially independent, productive members of the community.
301-797-4161
Washington County Health Department
211 Maryland
211 Maryland is the state's most comprehensive health and human services resource database. With over 7,500 resources, individuals with essential needs can get connected to local help 24/7/365.
Just call 211
Register to Vote / Request Mail-In Ballot
Use this site to register to vote in your federal, state, county, and city elections in Maryland. You can also request a mail-in ballot if needed, or update your voter registration if your name or address has changed.
410-269-2840 or 800-222-8683
Local
City of Hagerstown Elections
(240) 313-2050
Washington County Board of Elections Page
240-313-2050
State
Mail-In Voting Instructions
410-269-2840 or 800-222-8683
Maryland State Board of Elections
410-269-2840 or 800-222-8683